GenkiEnglish.com ESL/EFL Curriculum & Lesson Plans

Step 1.
Songs & Games
to learn the English

Step 2.
Put the English to use in real projects!

The aim of Genki English is to get the kids able to say * anything they want to say * in English, in as short a period of time as possible. We do that using the themes below.

The themes were chosen by researching hundreds and hundreds of kids and finding out whatthey want to say. ( But the curriculum is also now used to teach many adults as they find the course much more fun than traditional textbooks.)

If you are teaching in a normal elementary, junior high or private English school then I would recommend using these lessons as the main base of your course.

If you have a set textbook that you can’t change, then use the lessons below as a “spice” to liven up your classes. e.g. Hi Friends! or JHS

The lessons are presented in a thought out way that allows for plenty of review and a balance between topics that are very easy and those that may present a bit of a challenge. However the curriculum is mostly non-linear in format, so please feel free to mix and match, and change the order as much as you like. All classes are different and it is very important to mold the curriculum to the children’s interests and abilities, not the other way round.

The songs & software are the reason this programme has become so successful. They allow you to teach a theme very quickly (as you have a solid goal) and the students can then use the material to review everyday, even if you are not present. e.g. at home, on the lunchtime broadcasts, morning assembly or cleaning time.

Reviewing of the material is very important. Review the previous lessons at the beginning of each new lesson by using the previous song. Plus I always leave room for lessons that are purely for review.

Each lessons consists of one English question and several answers to the question. Questions, rather than statements, are what children most usually want to communicate. The quantity of material allows a full theme to be taught, with a bit of practice, in one 45 minute lesson.

Each lesson should be broken down into the following sections:

1. Warm up/Review (3-5 minutes)

2. Introduction of new English (15-20 minutes), including teaching of the song. Use this 3 step approach to keep kids interest and energy levels high.

Printable Versions

Owners Club Members can also print out all the lesson plans in one go from the links below:
There are versions in different languages if you are team teaching with a teacher who isn’t confident in English.

Step 2. GenkiEnglish.com Real Projects
For students who have completed most of the songs & game themes

Once children have studied the songs and games they will have a very solid base and be able to communicate most of what they would like to be able to say in English, the topics were, after all, chosen by talking to hundreds of kids and finding out what they wanted to ask people from other countries. From this point they actually use this English to learn about the World and gain “International Understanding”. This section of the curriculum is still under development, but two projects that are available and which work very successfully are:

Pet Exchange Project – using the language they know to learn about school pets from around the World.

These projects make full use of the technologies around today to allow the kids to directly communicate with their peers in other countries. It really instills a desire to communicate and learn more about the World!

Try them out and let me know how you get on!

What about reading / writing?

The curriculum above is all about getting the kids * speaking *.
In nearly every country in the world, this is the biggest challenge that needs addressing.

The good news is that once the kids speak well, by doing all the lessons above, it’s really easy to start reading using Genki Phonics to quickly learn to read. Then they can start to ace all the school tests!

But…. there’s no point starting reading or writing till the kids can actually talk in English.
I’m sure you’ve all seen what happens when things are done the opposite way round!

If you are forced to do reading earlier than have a look at the “5 minute phonics” page.

How was it?

Was that cool? Or are you full of questions? Don’t worry, there’s a lot to take in!

Have a read through this page again, check out the lesson plan overview videos, and simply email me if you have any unanswered questions.
It sometimes takes me a little time but I do reply to every single email I get sent
and I really appreciate all the questions as it helps me learn where I need to explain things more clearly!

In any case, enjoy, your students are going to love Genki English!
So pick up your Teacher’s Set and get started today!

9 Responses to “GenkiEnglish.com ESL/EFL Curriculum & Lesson Plans”

Hi Richard, I’ve been a member of your program for almost a year now and I have got to congratulate you on your incredible language package. It is a sound investment and the most enjoyable ‘job’ I’ve ever had! I get paid to play and have fun every week!! It is laughable. I also have to gush about the new improved website which is a far better reflection of what the course is about; energy, enthusiasm, colours, intrigue, I could go on but basically this new site shows off what is available instantly – fantastic job! Thanks again for the tips, updates and support. You are a LOVE! Keep it up! Best wishes

Hi Richard, I teach in a state primary school in Hungary and I tried Genki English with 5 graders last week – it was amazing! They were singing, shouting, ejoying… otherwise they are exhausted, sleepy and want to go home as it is their 7th lesson. They just wanted more and asked if we were going to do it next time, too. It’s a HUGE help for me and for the children.
Thanks!

Dear Richard, I sing your weather song with gestures in my 3rd graders..they liked it so much as I do like it because they remember the target words easily as they sing. And of course the big gestures that learned from Genki English. Thank you so much. It did not make me struggle to teach the new words.

Hi, Richard. I’ve used your ideas for some months and they work great. I did the feelings lesson in a class with another lesson rather than the Genki’s and in another class I did almost the same thing, but I put in your Dinosour game, what made such a difference that I just can’t express clearly in words. The students were way more enthusiastic, exited and remebered at least twice faster than the students with whom I didn’t do the game. More videos please! Cya!

I want to thank you , I enjoy a lot your songs and games , they are very funny , please I would like more ideas what can I do as projects to my students (8-12 years old), I hope you can help me , and all my best for you and your excellent web page.
Joe.